Q&A with Connor McCartin …
 |
|
Fauquier brothers Connor McCartin (32) and Kyle McCartin (10 at right) hit Liberty RB Corey Lillard (17) during the first game of the 2007 season. Photo By Randy Litzinger/Fauquier Times-Democrat. |
6-4, 215-pound linebacker recruit Connor McCartin has helped Fauquier to a 2-0 record heading into a contest against Mountain View this evening. He has tallied 15 tackles, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble in two games.
With a new head coach in place, McCartin and company are adjusting to a new defensive system but seem to be doing quite well so far.
TheSabre.com: How do you feel about your development from last year to this year?
McCartin: “There are still things I have to work on, but I’m bigger, stronger and faster. I feel like I’ve made a big improvement in those areas from last year. In our last game, guys came up and double-teamed me a lot. I have to work through that.”
TheSabre.com: You played inside linebacker in a 4-linebacker type of defense last season. How is this year’s defense different?
McCartin: “I’m one of the two main linebackers, and then we have a Sam linebacker up on the line on some plays. That linebacker is in more of a safety-type role. I’m not in the middle this year.”
TheSabre.com: Talk about Fauquier’s team this year and how things have been going so far.
McCartin: “We have a great group of guys back. We have our whole line returning from last year. We lost seniors at wide receiver, but our new wide receivers are doing good for us. Our defense wasn’t in top form last game, but hopefully we can get it turned around. We need to be firing on all cylinders.”
TheSabre.com: How much have you thought about being at Virginia next season?
McCartin: “I’m really excited to get down there. I’m going to work my butt off here in the off-season to get better, but it is real exciting. I think they have a good thing going there. And I really like Coach Diaco.”
TheSabre.com: How does your brother like his first year at Virginia? (Kyle, a quarterback, accepted a recruited walk-on spot with the Cavaliers.)
McCartin: “He says he likes it a lot. He says it is real fun and he is looking forward to me getting down there with him.”
TheSabre.com: What is your take on Virginia’s start to the 2008 season?
McCartin: “I still think the program is going in the right direction. They have great players. I think things are looking up for the future.”
TheSabre.com: What do you like about Virginia’s defense and specifically how it fits your game?
McCartin: “I like how aggressive they are on defense. I’m an aggressive guy. I like being really aggressive out there.”
TheSabre.com: In terms of your future teammates, what other UVa commitments do you keep in touch with?
McCartin: “Corey Lillard goes to Liberty and I know him. Ross Metheny and I talk quite a bit. We just check in with each other every now and then. Luke [Bowanko] was at the USC game. Him, Metheny, Lillard and me hung out at the UVa/USC game.”
TheSabre.com: Having played against Corey Lillard , can you give a brief scouting report of him?
McCartin: “He is a great player. He is fast, mobile and aggressive.”
—
 |
Notes on other Virginia commits…
WR/QB recruit Quintin Hunter and RB Dominique Wallace – The future Cavaliers faced off against one another last week, with Wallace and the Chancellor Chargers (Fredericksburg, VA)) getting the best of Hunter and the Orange Hornets (VA). Wallace had 19 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the 21-7 win. He has totaled 528 rushing yards in three games this season. Hunter totaled 180 yards (147 passing, 33 rushing) in the loss.
By the way, Hunter, Liberty (Bealeton, VA) S Corey Lillard and Wallace remain firmly committed to the Cavaliers according to the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star.
DB recruit Perry Jones – Jones tallied 228 yards rushing with two scores and passed for another score in Oscar Smith’s (Chesapeake, VA) 46-14 win over Indian River. The Tigers are 3-0 on the season and ranked #15 in the USA Today National Super 25.
QB Ross Metheny completed 5 of 12 passes for 85 yards and a 25-yard touchdown pass as Sherando (Stephens City, VA) rolled Hedgesville 49-0. The Warriors, who led 35-0 at halftime, are 2-0 on the season.
RB Alex Owah may be out for several weeks due to injury.
WR Kevin Royal – Royal had a big, big game for Brunswick School (Greenwich, CT), which defeated Hackley School 34-0 last week. Brunswick faces rival Hopkins this week.
DE Jake Snyder – Deep Run (Glen Allen, VA) is 2-0 on the year heading into a contest against Hanover this evening. Head coach Greg Kendall discussed Snyder’s performance so far this season… “It is the same old Jake. He has done a great, great job,” Kendall said. “He has four sacks already through the first two games. He has caught six or seven balls for somewhere around 100 yards. He has done everything we need him to do.”
